6th lecture on the Book of Samuel. Samuel I, Chapter 6, including a brief note on the locations of Beit Shemesh (and the reason for its curious name) as well as Kiryat Y’arim

5th lecture on the Book of Samuel. Samuel I, Chapter 5, including a discussion of polemic literature, specifically against idolatry, and the phenomenon of “qeri/ketiv” and “tiqqunei sopherim”

4th lecture on the Book of Samuel. Samuel I, Chapter 4, including an introduction to “mirror stories” (Pinhas’ wife and Rahel) and another example of the device “3+1”, as well as a brief excursus about the religious “confusion” of Aron-worship.

3rd lecture on the Book of Samuel. Samuel I, Chapter 3, including a discussion of several rhetorical devices used by T’nakh (“3+1”, the “leitwort”)

2nd lecture on the Book of Samuel. Samuel I, Chapter 2, including a brief introduction to the difference between Biblical prose and poetry

1st lecture on the Book of Samuel. Samuel I, Chapter 1, including an introduction to the book, a brief overview of narrative styles of the Bible and a brief foray into onomastics in the Bible.

The Origins of the Mitzvah to Light Candles on Hanukkah. Includes a handout. Enjoy…and Hag Urim Sameach!!!

Parashat Vayyeshev – Solving Yoseph’s Second Dream

Parashat Vayishlach: “Katonti” and its 2 cantillations…Ya’akov, the wrestling match and the Rashbam

Parashat Vayetze: A new look at the relationship between Jacob and Laban